Neuroscience Research
My research interests include cognitive aging, addiction, sexual dimorphisms, and ADHD. I currently am an undergraduate researcher at the University of Florida in the Laboratory of Neuronal Circuits and Cognitive Behaviors under Dr. Alfonso Martin-Pena.
​See the research I have been working on below!
The relationship between deep sleep deprivation and cocaine sensitization
PI: Alfonso Martin-Pena
University of Florida, Neuroscience
September 2024 - Present
​
In this project, we are studying how depriving Drosophila of deep sleep will affect their behavioral sensitization to volatilized cocaine. Currently, we are still running pilot studies but are working toward a larger project where different clock neurons will be targeted to establish if sleep deprivation is necessary for cocaine sensitization. If established, we will then knock down LNv dopamine receptors to see which type(s) are required for cocaine sensitization. If we can identify the ellipsoid body neurons involved we will have the entire circuit involved in locomotor sensitization.
​​
I have high involvement in this project. I will be conducting experiments on my own and analyzing data with the team. I am actively engaging with my PI and collaborators to conceptualize methods, hypotheses, and other ideas. ​​​​​​​Currently this project is my main focus, and I am aiming to be submit it for the UF Journal of Undergraduate Research and the Undergraduate Symposium in Spring 2026.
Genetic tracking of synucleinopathy transition into dementia
PI: Alfonso Martin-Pena
University of Florida, Neuroscience
July 2025 - Present
In this study, we modeled neuron type-specific vulnerability to α-synuclein pathology across the lifespan of Drosophila. Flies selectively expressed the wild-type (WT) or the disease-associated mutation A53T in human α-synuclein in dopaminergic, serotoninergic or octopaminergic neurons using specific Gal4 drivers. We then assessed sleep architecture, locomotor activity, and spatial working memory across the lifespan of flies expressing hSNCA in the aforementioned neuronal types.
​​​
-
Methods: Y-Maze analysis of spontaneous alternation to assess spatial working memory; Drosophila Activity Monitors to assess sleep architecture and locomotor activity.
​
My involvement in this project was high. I ran and analyzed over 200 Y-maze experiments largely on my own and contributed to conceptualizing and troubleshooting methods and hypotheses.
​​I presented the poster as first author in the SNIP Celebration of Research Day.
Tracking the genetics supporting disease progression into Tau-induced dementia
PI: Alfonso Martin-Pena
University of Florida, Neuroscience
July 2025 - August 2025
This study was worked on in collaboration with Carolina Rodriguez, the first author for the final poster. We worked to apply the methodology used in the synucleinopathies project listed above to instead Tau-induced dementias (such as Alzheimer's) using our Drosophila model.
My involvement in this project was high, but this project was the responsibility of Carolina. We worked closely together with our PI to conceptualize and troubleshoot methods and hypotheses. She presented the poster in the ​​​ SNIP Celebration of Research Day, where I was listed second author.